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Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common nontraumatic neurological disorder of young adults, and roughly 85% of patients present with the relapsing form of the disease. Over the past 2 decades, the treatment arsenal for relapsing MS has expanded and evolved from mildly effective and relatively benign injectable agents to potent cell-depleting monoclonal agents. The latter have the potential to achieve disease remission coupled with risk of moderate to severe adverse events with which all MS care providers will need to acquaint themselves.

Methods: This review is based on a detailed assessment of MS pivotal trials, extension studies, and expert reviews of the agents discussed.

Results/Conclusions: The following review should aid those practitioners directly and indirectly involved in the care of MS patients in understanding the benefits and risks associated with the medications they prescribe.

Department of Clinical Neurosciences (JMB), Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Division of Neurology (MSF), The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.